Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is relishing the chance to pit his young Black Stars against pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast.
The Black Stars' first run out in Angola will be against the Ivorians after their first match was abandoned following Togo's exit from the competition in the wake of last Friday's deadly gun attack on the team bus.
The Ivorians would be wrapping up their group campaign in the three-team group in Cabinda after drawing goalless on Monday against Burkina Faso. For Rajevac, it's an opportunity for his young squad to come up against the Ivorians.
"We want to win this competition but this first game is going to be interesting pitting our very young team against one of the best and most experienced sides in Africa," the Milovan Rajevac said.
Rajevac knows the importance of Ghana's opening game with the group narrowed down to three teams as he hopes to count on every player.
Preparations so far has been without Michael Essien, who's arrival has been delayed due to the wintry conditions in London but is set to turn up in the Ghana camp on Wednesday. However, Essien faces a fitness test on a hamstring injury before Rajevac finalises his Ghana squad to face Ivory Coast Friday.
Essien's participation though subject to further tests might be a big boost for the Black Stars but Rajevac has an injury concern ahead of Friday's game as Anthony Annan would be unavailable due to injury.
"Annan won't be ready for Friday and Essien doesn't join us until tomorrow morning," Rajevac said on Tuesday in Cabinda.
Source: ghanafa
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